M2 April 2018 - LATEST ISSUE!
M2 Top 5 Picks Of The 88th Geneva International Motor Show
Held since 1905, the Geneva International Motor Show showcases exotic supercars, prototypes, the latest in technical innovation, and the best of the best in the automotive world. 1. Ferrari 488 Pista The Ferrari 488 Pista is powered by the most powerful V8 engine in the Maranello marque’s history and is the company’s special series sports...
Read More
Sports News – April 2018
The One To Watch: Hamish Bond Swaps The Boat For The Bike What do you do when you’ve won two gold medals rowing at the Olympics, taken home seven consecutive world championships and can’t be beaten over eight long years? Take up cycling, is Hamish Bond’s response and he wasn’t meaning a dilly-dally out into...
Read More
Health News – April 2018
Say goodbye to summer and hello to autumn. From antibacterial sticking plasters to protective oral sprays, we have you covered for the imminent cold snap. March 16 was World Sleep Day. Why didn’t anyone tell me? I would have taken a day off work! The day is a way to remind us Kiwi blokes that sleeping...
Read More
The Good, The Bad And The Loki
A couple of years back I took a paper called “Celebrity Cultures” as part of my Post-Grad. In between the discussions around topics such as the role of paparazzi, fandom, and the power of endorsement, “Persona” was a recurring key concept. Meaning “Mask” in Latin, the persona is essentially a socially constructed image that others...
Read More
The Place To Be: Making Luxury A Habit
With a hippie-chic complexion, and a gritty sophistication, the Habitas in Tulum, Mexico is a new jewel in any holiday-goer’s crown. Opened last year by owners Oliver Ripley, Kfir Levy and Edwardo Costillo, this paradise-hotel has since enjoyed much hype, attracting famous celebrities, musicians and party-goers. Situated on its own private beach and just approximately...
Read More
Beyond The Bottle
Take a closer look at the only operating wine cooperage in the southern hemisphere. They say a fine wine only gets better with age, and with a rich history spanning over the past 168 years, Australia’s Yalumba winery is a testament to that. Nestled away in the Barossa Valley, Yalumba may just be the most historic...
Read More
All Hail Our Secret Government
It’s a golden time for lobbyists at the moment. We’ve just had a change in government and that means it’s time for everything to change, come what may. Duh, it has to – as the last guys obviously got every single thing wrong! But there’s a slight problem in that, aside from a couple of...
Read More
A Pearl In Two Shells
(Well, ok, three if you add the Cabriolet) Apparently, there are saloon people and there are those that have a penchant for the styling of a coupe. Mercedes-Benz New Zealand figured they’d let me decide what my preference was by lending me two E400 models, back to back. As you are probably already well aware, the...
Read MoreStyle
Levi’s: Not Just Jeans
The power of a brand is something that shouldn’t be underestimated. When you think of burgers, you think of McDonald’s. When you think of soft drinks, you think Coca-Cola. And when it comes to denim, Levi’s stands head and shoulders above everybody else. Founded in 1853 by German immigrant Levi Strauss, Levi’s has its roots in practicality,...
Read More
Up Your Running Game With Reebok’s New Floatride Run Shoes
There is an important relationship between the fields of form and function. Ideally, the shape of an object should follow its intended function and purpose. What’s the point of having a flash looking supercar if the seats mess with your posture and the engine is the equivalent of a ride-on lawn mower? When it comes...
Read More
Get Rugged Up For Autumn
With April underway and Autumn firmly taking root, it’s time to adjust your attire accordingly. Style-wise the colder months give you plenty more options to play with, so consider “rugging up” and adding more pieces to your normal daily fit. Overlaying some plaid with a bomber jacket and working in a scarf for good measure...
Read More
Jack & Jones Street Wear Comes To New Zealand
When it comes to street wear, the best looks draw influence from a variety of styles but know how to balance it all in aesthetic harmony. New and exclusive to Farmers, Danish menswear brand Jack & Jones has just arrived on our shores in time for Autumn. Taking style design inspiration from a Danish brand...
Read MorePeak Performance
Train like an Athlete – The Winter Edition
Some of us hibernate in winter, but Jossi Wells thrives. A professional free skier, competing at the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games and taking home gold at the 2016 X-Games, he is one to watch. Wells’ usually busy training schedule has freed up recently due to an injury so we take the opportunity to talk about...
Read More
Fighting For Social Change
More than 20 years ago, a young Richie Hardcore entered the ring, about to look his very first opponent in the eye, with one goal – to be the last man standing. It’s hard to imagine what would have been going through his mind as the bell rang to signal the fight to commence. It would also have been impossible for...
Read More
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu: The Gentle Art
My first sparring session (or ‘roll’, as its known colloquially) was an education into how vulnerable we are. It’s comparable to being thrown into a pool without knowing how to swim, or trying to control a boa constrictor. I remember being absolutely manhandled. Using pressure and techniques completely foreign to me, I was dissected in...
Read More
Winning Formula With Brendon Hartley
New Zealand boasts a rich history of names in the realm of motorsport – Chris Amon, Bruce McLaren, Possom Bourne, Greg Murphy, Scott Dixon and Mitch Evans are just a selection of names in the NZ motorsport pantheon. While Kiwi drivers have had success across a variety of motorsport competitions and rulesets, there is one...
Read MoreWild
Surgeons of the Sea
Free Willy vs Jaws… who wins? Hollywood has altered our expectations about how this sort of apex predator duel would go down. Unless you spend more time watching documentaries than old movies on VHS, then the answer isn’t so clear. The biggest great white sharks can measure six metres long, weigh more than 2200 kilograms...
Read More
11 Deadliest Animals on the Planet, And How to Survive Them
The animal kingdom is a strange and wonderful place. From architects to mimes, assassins to philanderers, each animal has its own niche, a role and place. While we regularly encounter cats, dogs, birds and bugs, our chances of seeing dangerous animals are usually limited to visiting the zoo or watching The Discovery Channel. But while...
Read More
Walk on the Wild Side
Expressionist American photographer, Aaron Siskind once said: ‘Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever…’ We bring you the iconic shots from The Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017, developed and produced by the National History Museum, London. Capturing the most magical parts of...
Read More
Behind The Lens: Open Ocean
The thought of delving into the deep and getting face-to-face with some of the world’s biggest and deadliest beasts is not something everyone can face. But it is a different story for underwater videographer and adrenaline junkie, Steve Hathaway. Fascinated about life under the surface, M2 dove straight in when the opportunity arose to talk...
Read MoreSnow
Train like an Athlete – The Winter Edition
Some of us hibernate in winter, but Jossi Wells thrives. A professional free skier, competing at the 2014 Sochi Olympic Games and taking home gold at the 2016 X-Games, he is one to watch. Wells’ usually busy training schedule has freed up recently due to an injury so we take the opportunity to talk about...
Read More
New Zealand Snow Guide 2017
With a cold blast hitting much of New Zealand earlier than expected, ski fields the length of the country have been able to open with bonus time to spare. Seasoned snow bunnies know their spots on both islands, but for those looking to venture out and experience new terrain and thrills, where do you go...
Read More
The Mazda SKI-ACTIV Experience
I vividly remember the first time I actually put skis on and hit (quite literally) the snow. I was in my late teens and full of bravado; I headed to the top of the chairlift, strapped on two planks of wood and shot down the slope – straight into a tree. The sensation was both...
Read More
STEF ZEESTRATEN: HALFPIPE HEDONIST
From one of the flattest countries in the world, to the sharp ascents of the Southern Alps, Dutch-born Stef Zeestraten has, as is his wont, carved a name for himself in New Zealand snowboarding folklore. Throughout his 17-year competitive career that saw him peak at 47th in the world in 2008, Zeestraten has followed the serious...
Read MoreLeadership
Impact From Simplicity
In a world of exponential innovation, disruptive technologies and giddy cryptocurrency speculation a discussion about another KiwiSaver fund might seem a little vanilla. But after a few minutes with Simplicity founder, Sam Stubbs even the most finically unfocused would be hard pressed not to find excitement in compounded interest from saved fees, the growth of...
Read More
Richard Branson’s 75 Close Shaves
Unwavering, relentless persistence, those are the words I would use to describe Richard Branson. He’s built a global brand and personal lifestyle, from scratch that fascinates us with its continuous momentum, near misses and massive achievements. How many international entrepreneurs would be working deals and businesses in massive markets like the UK, the USA, Europe,...
Read More
MARKET LEADER: The driving force behind the real estate evolution
Brendon Skipper’s role as CEO of New Zealand’s No.1 property site, realestate.co.nz, draws on more than 20 years of experience across sales and marketing, property, IT and telecommunications, but he is quick to point out that the CEO role is one that doesn’t come with a manual. Could you describe a standard day for yourself?...
Read More
Industry In Site
Over the past few years, we have seen a huge jump in the level of innovation, experience and concepts within the hospitality industry in this part of the world. No longer do we have to jump on a plane to get unique and exciting hospitality experiences. We are creating world-class cafes, restaurants, hotels and developments...
Read MoreGadgets
The New Sennheiser MOMENTUM Free
27Following the launch of the MOMENTUM In-Ear Wireless neckband headphones at CES 2017, the new MOMENTUM Free expands Sennheiser’s range of Bluetooth ear-canal headphones. Sennheiser has a good reputation and they aren’t going to ruin it now. The headphones’ high-quality dynamic speaker system and custom-machined stainless steel in-ear sound tunnels deliver superior acoustic precision with a...
Read More
The BOOST↑UP Takes the Hassle out of Charging
Charging your iPhone just got as easy as putting it down. Simplify Charging Simplify charging your devices and unclutter your space! Posted by M2 Magazine New Zealand on Wednesday, 6 December 2017 Belkin has worked closely with Apple to create a fast efficient charging pad for iPhone X, iPhone 8 Plus, and iPhone 8. The BOOST↑UP...
Read More
LG SIGNATURE – OLED W7 WALLPAPER
LG Electronics New Zealand today launched its new brand LG SIGNATURE and unveiled the first of its products, the LG SIGNATURE OLED W7 TV; aptly named ‘Wallpaper.’ I’d show you a profile of this 65” OLED TV but at only 4mm thick it would just look like a vertical black line. As the first in...
Read More
2069 – prepare for NASA’s galactic voyage
Our placement on the great timeline of existence has us nestled in a rather peculiar spot. Columbus, Tasman, Magellan, De Gama – they’ve already done all the Earth exploring for us. The cosmos, however, is the great frontier we have yet to conquer. Humanity has always looked to the stars, gazing into the speckled abyss...
Read MoreMandate
Amazon Goes Green Spheres
Kindle, Amazon Web Services, Amazon Prime, Amazon Go, Alexa. Amazon are ever the innovators and that’s not even considering the behemoth that is their online shopping platform. And, with CEO Jeff Bezos firmly set as the richest person on the planet with a net worth of $120.5 billion (USD), Amazon have decided to celebrate their...
Read More
Editor’s Letter – October 2017
In a world where comments, shares and reactions are currency and influencers are well, influential, I realise I might sound a little stale if I share a warning about the dangers of too much of an obsession with social media. Before you imagine my words in the voice of your grandmother warning you not to...
Read More
STEF ZEESTRATEN: HALFPIPE HEDONIST
From one of the flattest countries in the world, to the sharp ascents of the Southern Alps, Dutch-born Stef Zeestraten has, as is his wont, carved a name for himself in New Zealand snowboarding folklore. Throughout his 17-year competitive career that saw him peak at 47th in the world in 2008, Zeestraten has followed the serious...
Read More
Where DeLorean is Going, They Don’t Need Roads
While the original DMC car company didn’t last long it seems as though the nephew of automotive legend, John DeLorean has kept engineering in the family and has forged on toward the future. So now we have the DeLorean name emblazoned across the side of a personal VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) vehicle. Designed for personal...
Read MoreMan on the Street
Man On The Street – Shawn Pope
Age: 46 Occupation: Director of Melba Group What’s your morning routine? Starts with coffee, preferably roasted by Espresso Workshop, it always has! What are the top three things on your bucket list? Spend a white Christmas with my family in the States, travel on the Orient Express (can’t wait to see St Petersburg), windsurf on...
Read More
Man On The Street – Jordon Milroy
Age: 28 Occupation: Visionary and climber at Jordon’s Climb for Awareness What’s your morning routine? The alarm is set for 5.03am. I roll into the gym and do a full workout until 6.45 and then back home, where it’s coffee time! What are the top three things on your bucket list? To find a bucket…...
Read More
Man On The Street – Justin Scott
Age: 26 Occupation: Production Coordinator at NZME What’s your morning routine? Wake up and hit the shower before my partner can. Jump out, whip on some clothes and make some breakfast and then off to work. Fast and furious. What are the top three things on your bucket list? 1. Buy a house in Auckland (like...
Read More
Man on the Street – Jaheb Barnett
Age: 31 Occupation: Advertising Mad Man by day and men’s fashion blogger somewhere in-between What’s your morning routine? Typically it starts with a shock when the alarm goes off at 6am, then me jumping into my exercise kit and hitting F45 training for a workout. This is followed up with a coffee to kick-start the...
Read MoreDesign
To The Manor Reborn AKA Unearthing Diamonds
The opportunity arose to visit the Jaguar Land Rover Classic Works in Coventry, and I seized it with both hands. Not only would it give me the chance to pore over such iconic cars as the E-Type and Land Rover Series 1 , but it also came with the offer of being chauffeur driven there and back in a...
Read More
NZ Architect wins German Design Award
It sits there in the heart of Auckland’s Titirangi. A corrugated beating heart surrounded by native bush with the warbling sing-song of Tui and Kereru as the soundtrack. While you might think that the seclusion of West Auckland’s native bush would mask the design mastery of “Red House”, it employs the opposite effect, so much...
Read More
Star Wars Laser Battle Drone
Propel (the world’s leading developer and manufacturer of radio-controlled devices) has recently released a new toy on the market, launching gaming and high-tech droning into the next galaxy. With The Last Jedi having hit the big screen last month, and more themed merchandise arriving on shelves around the country, Star Wars-mania is well and truly...
Read More
Amazon Goes Green Spheres
Kindle, Amazon Web Services, Amazon Prime, Amazon Go, Alexa. Amazon are ever the innovators and that’s not even considering the behemoth that is their online shopping platform. And, with CEO Jeff Bezos firmly set as the richest person on the planet with a net worth of $120.5 billion (USD), Amazon have decided to celebrate their...
Read MoreDeep Dives
All Hail Our Secret Government
It’s a golden time for lobbyists at the moment. We’ve just had a change in government and that means it’s time for everything to change, come what may. Duh, it has to – as the last guys obviously got every single thing wrong! But there’s a slight problem in that, aside from a couple of...
Read More
The Fight For Gender Diversity – An Ad Man’s POV
So, a high-powered panel of female leaders featuring Theresa Gattung, Justine Smyth, Tracey Cross, Naomi Ballantyne and Linda Meade were at the M2woman Journey to Excellence forum recently. I think it’s fair to say that the gist of their forum was; “we want moregender equality in the workplace! Now, dammit! Now!” Huh? Is this really...
Read More
Walk on the Wild Side
Expressionist American photographer, Aaron Siskind once said: ‘Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever…’ We bring you the iconic shots from The Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017, developed and produced by the National History Museum, London. Capturing the most magical parts of...
Read More
Climbing The Podium: Kiwis at the Winter Paralympics
The Winter Games, both Olympic and Paralympic, usually pass with minimal mention down under, but in the case of the compact Kiwi Paralympian team heading to South Korea this March, there’s reason to take notice. For a global event that is heavily dominated by northern hemisphere athletes, New Zealand participants more than hold their own....
Read MoreCover Stories
Jamie Dornan – The Colour In The Grey
“His eyes are intense, probing, demanding even. I stretch out beside him, feeling loose-limbed, my bones like jelly, but I’m relaxed, deeply relaxed.” – E. L. James, Fifty Shades of Grey. As I write this piece, I’m trying my absolute best to not cry of laughter in the office. Never in my wildest dreams would...
Read More
Charlie Hunnam, Making of A Legend
You’ve likely heard of the legendary King Arthur and the extraction of the enchanted sword, Excalibur, from the stone, but who on earth is Charlie Hunnam? Sons of Anarchy fans will know the English actor as bikie, Jackson ‘Jax’ Teller, and women wish they knew him, as he was one of the original picks for...
Read More
Hugh Jackman – Hollywood’s Favourite Wolf
They say nice guys finish last. Hugh Jackman says otherwise. The do-it-all megastar and face of Montblanc is widely regarded as the nicest man in showbiz. A jack of all trades and master of it all. TV? He’s done it. Hollywood? A bankable star and A-lister. Broadway? Conquered it and added not one, but two Tony...
Read More
The Shape Shifter – Matthew McConaughey In the Dark Tower
“The man in black fled across the desert, and the gunslinger followed”. Back in 1978, with these tantalising words, a young man called Stephen King began an epic narrative that is still unfolding to this very day. King would go on to become one of the best-selling popular novelists in the world, a modern-day Charles...
Read MoreSuccess
Best Things Ever Said – November 2017
Success seems to be connected with action. Successful people keep moving. They make mistakes, but they don’t quit. Conrad Hilton Very little is needed to make a happy life; it is all within yourself, in your way of thinking. Marcus Aurelius Wise men speak because they have something to say; Fools because they have to say...
Read More
Reinvention At Scale
Spark CEO, Simon Moutter, is leading our largest telco through the one of the most disruptive eras in business and the tech industry. All whilst reinventing the nature and structure of a company that employs thousands of New Zealanders and invests hundreds of millions into infrastructure. This is a process that is helped by the logic and pragmatism of a...
Read More
How Great People Make A Great Company
Behind any successful business, you’ll usually find great people. The business I founded nine years ago, Pure SEO, is no exception. I’m constantly in awe of my team—and often wonder how I’m the one (sort of) running the company! So many of our people are passionate, committed and incredibly driven, which is what I attribute...
Read More
Peter Burling – Triumph On And Off The Water
Bermuda. June, 2017. The time is 1.31pm exactly. The pale sky is patterned with light grey clouds and seagulls squalling above. You look down at your Omega watch for what feels like the millionth time. There’s a light air about the ocean… an estimated nine-knot wind with the boat ebbing underneath you. You’re standing at...
Read MoreAmazing Photos
The Art of Abandonment, Photo Series Captures Civilizations Losing Battle Against Nature
Destroyed, decayed and derelict – all key elements that Jonk, a well-seasoned French photographer, seeks in his ultimate subject matter, for his ongoing series depicting abandoned structures. Do you come from a photography background? I did not study photography and learned everything myself, mostly from reading and exchanging ideas with fellow photographers. My background is...
Read More
Long Live The Silver Screen
Think about the magic and excitement of driving up to a local parking lot, ready to watch the latest feature film in the comfort of your own car. The light from the projector beams a dancing stream of images onto the giant screen ahead, while kids laugh and play beneath the screen. American-based photographer Lindsey...
Read More
In The Moment
A magical moment can be so fleeting, and we don’t always have the right equipment to capture it. Smartphone technology is developing extremely fast, and Apple has always had a strong focus on enabling us to have an incredible camera just sitting in our back pocket. In celebration of the incredible imagery people have captured...
Read More
Walk on the Wild Side
Expressionist American photographer, Aaron Siskind once said: ‘Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever…’ We bring you the iconic shots from The Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2017, developed and produced by the National History Museum, London. Capturing the most magical parts of...
Read MoreSport
Sports – March 2018
The One To Watch: Blair Tuke New Zealand sailing’s unsung hero Team New Zealand trimmer and 49er legend Blair Tuke hasn’t always been in his good mate, Peter Burling’s shadow and he has stepped out of it again by continuing New Zealand’s proud history in the Volvo Ocean Race. Before the America’s Cup became the...
Read More
The Sport Of Kings
Polo is known as the Sport of Kings – a gentleman’s game, a game of skill and endurance, where the players must score points (sort of like football), all whilst riding horseback. First mentioned in literature in Persia about 600 BC, when the tribes domesticated horses and used the sport as a way of training...
Read More
Winning Formula With Brendon Hartley
New Zealand boasts a rich history of names in the realm of motorsport – Chris Amon, Bruce McLaren, Possom Bourne, Greg Murphy, Scott Dixon and Mitch Evans are just a selection of names in the NZ motorsport pantheon. While Kiwi drivers have had success across a variety of motorsport competitions and rulesets, there is one...
Read More
David Beckham’s Guide To Success – Incredible Lessons for Success On and Off the Field
The prototypical script for a famous footballer goes something like this: You play 10 years (if you’re lucky). Possibly win a league title in the process (if you’re lucky). Finally, you negotiate a broadcasting career where you play pundit and banter with other ‘legends of the sport’ (that is, if you’re lucky). You then retire for...
Read MoreBucket List Experiences
Logan Dodds Captures The Action
Being the social media sensation that he is, Logan Dodds is evidently no stranger to being in the limelight. When it comes to capturing the right mood, combined with the right moment, his vision is faultless and his adventurous spirit makes for some of the most breath taking and jaw dropping moments ever to grace...
Read More
Destination Du Jour
It’s that time of year when you are in-between tropical holidays and in desperate need to get out of the city, even just for the weekend. While it is winter, New Zealand has some pretty incredible destinations to escape to, and recharge and re-energise yourself to get through the last few cold months of the...
Read More
Behind The Lens: Open Ocean
The thought of delving into the deep and getting face-to-face with some of the world’s biggest and deadliest beasts is not something everyone can face. But it is a different story for underwater videographer and adrenaline junkie, Steve Hathaway. Fascinated about life under the surface, M2 dove straight in when the opportunity arose to talk...
Read More
War Rages On
After nearly 40 years and countless trips to the battle zones of Afghanistan, American photographer Steve McCurry has finally finished his latest body of work and book, Afghanistan… and it is nothing short of incredible. Photography By Steve McCurry In-between living in New York and spending time at his holiday home, McCurry has spent a large...
Read MoreWheels
The Mazda SKI-ACTIV Experience
I vividly remember the first time I actually put skis on and hit (quite literally) the snow. I was in my late teens and full of bravado; I headed to the top of the chairlift, strapped on two planks of wood and shot down the slope – straight into a tree. The sensation was both...
Read More
Wheels News – September 2017
Pictured: Aston Martin Vanquish Zagato Family Across the street, but way up-market Aston Martin finally has the home it deserves. Situated in the new nine-level, 5900-square metre Giltrap Group headquarters, Aston Martin Auckland offers the floor space to showcase up to 15 vehicles as well as a contemporary service centre, modern delivery suite and two luxurious...
Read More
Pomp & Happenstance – A Rolls-Royce Experience
As I am sure you smart people already know, Pomp is essentially a ceremony or display and Happenstance is a coincidence; on a recent visit to the UK both these words came together in spectacular fashion. Unfortunately, for many of us, I can safely say that riding in a Rolls-Royce motor vehicle is a very...
Read More
Full Throttle Zero Emissions
Heading over to Hong Kong to watch the Formula E was a breeze with Cathay Pacific. Flying over in business class is the definition of “life well travelled”.Born in Auckland, Mitch Evans is a very talented, trophy–winning racing driver taking Formula-E by storm. He’s already driven the Jaguar to its first-ever podium spot and has...
Read MoreHealth
4 Things You Can do To Lose Weight
Part of living a healthy, energy-filled life is making sure your body is running at peak performance. We’ve already looked at different foods to boost different aspects of your body, but now it’s time to get down to the thorny issue of weight. There is a veritable minefield of conflicting information out there. It seems...
Read More
Healing without Scars
Be it from when you tripped and fell as a kid, an accidental burn, or if you got your appendix removed, scars can be rather unpleasant and unsightly. And while scars can’t be completely removed at present, researchers at the University of Pennsylvania’s Department of Dermatology have found a way to make fresh wounds heal...
Read More
Comvita – Manuka Honey
More than just your favourite spread, if you are unaware of the benefits of manuka honey, then you have clearly not been listening to us share about its health benefits recently. So, we’ll say it again… listen up, and take notes. In 1974, Comvita® founders Claude Stratford and Alan Bougen believed in the power of nature. Four...
Read More
5 ways to cope with Stress
Stress is the body’s way of responding to life’s demands. While necessary for our survival, in modern times stress has become one of society’s main health challenges contributing to a raft of health conditions including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, adrenal fatigue, hypertension, obesity, anxiety, depression and even cancer. Short term, stress is great for helping us...
Read MoreEntertainment
Sport – June 2017
FORMULA ONE, POST BERNIE It may still be the same old picture in the Constructors’ Championship, but reigning champion Nico Rosberg’s replacement, Valtteri Bottas has stepped up to challenge team mate and enfant terrible, Lewis Hamilton. Mercedes’ new boy claimed the recent Russian Grand Prix, while Ferrari’s resurgence has seen Sebastian Vettel as a fixture...
Read More
Must Watch This Month
All the blockbusters are dropping around us at the moment and we’re heading on toward the middle of the year. But don’t worry, there won’t be a complete drought. There are a couple decent films coming out to keep us interested. ATOMIC BLONDE Academy award winner Charlize Theron does a gritty and awesome take on...
Read More
Ryan Returns
The Hitman’s Bodyguard is the perfect example of a movie the critics hate but moviegoers love. It released at the same time as Logan Lucky, which is like a redneck version of Ocean’s 11, even made by the same director, Steven Soderbergh. Logan Lucky is unconventional but still has the fun energy of the Ocean’s films...
Read More
Three To See This October
Blade Runner 2049 It’s not every year an old beloved franchise is resuscitated to sell a couple more movie tickets. Actually, wait, it is… but this one’s different, I swear. Ryan Gosling picks up the reigns as the new Blade Runner taking out replicants. It plays with the themes of the original and advances the mystery....
Read MoreFood
Where Our Chefs Eat: The Ultimate Mans Guide
There’s nothing worse than pining after a dish all day, only to be miserably disappointed when your order doesn’t quite live up to the expectations. With a dizzying array of options dotted around the city, it’s hard to know where to even begin. To avoid a serious case of food disappointment, we spoke to some...
Read More
Discover Your New Local – Ben Bayly’s Less Obvious Guide to the Best Restaurants
We live in a golden age of chefs. Between the move towards consumers seeking a more personal and authentic dining experience, Auckland is bubbling over with cooking legends who not only practice world-class gastronomy but also manage to remain authentic with more focus on craft than profit. Ben Bayly, one of the judges on New...
Read More
The Burger Battle
Each week seems to bring another burger joint opening, but hey, we’re not complaining. But with each new opening comes a new concept, so which fusion, style or flavour do you pick? Better Burger These guys seem to be taking on the city, with the recent opening of their Sylvia Park store showing they have...
Read More
Recipe: Butter Infused With All Natural Ingredients
When it comes to summer food there is one thing many of us look forward to all year – BBQs. Perfectly cooked steak, fresh prawns and locally caught fish with summer salads and perla potatoes. It’s a summer tradition, really! Award-winning chef Owen Sinclair has created a must-have for your next BBQ with Flavour Fiend...
Read MoreWine
Winter Warmers… More Great Wines to Bring to a Dinner Party
Warm up your winter evenings around a good drop of red. It’s a great time of year for dinner parties. Time to get light the fire, light the candles, relax and enjoy one another’s company over a nice roast and a good bottle of red. The challenge is to choose the right wine for the...
Read More
Fizz The Season
Often referred to as the elixir of the gods and quite possibly the magic potion from Gaul that often appeared in Asterix comics, Champagne has long been the celebratory drink for all occasions. To a large part, the wine makers use predominantly Pinot Noir grapes mainly from the Champagne region mixed with Chablis from the...
Read More
Chardonnay VS. Chablis
In this issue we compare some of our best New Zealand Chardonnays with their close relatives from the Chablis region of France. The big difference we found was the flinty minerality of the Chablis versus the more dominant fruit flavours that came through in their New Zealand counterparts. To be called a Chablis they must...
Read More
Rock Star Reds
Over the winter months we have covered some of the most outstanding reds from our part of the world. We’ve brought you a selection of some of the best we have tried with ‘bites’ of information that you can share when you bring these wines out at the next occasion. This is the last of...
Read MoreCoach Your Way To Success
Are you changing fast enough to stay relevant?
To let your fears determine what you do will not only limit what you fail at but, more significantly, what you succeed at. A degree isn’t any better or worse than experience, it’s just that a degree is no longer enough. The only way to learn about life is to experience it and that means...
Read More
Stay Ahead Of The Curve – Top trends in SEO for 2018
They say the only thing constant is change and nowhere does this feel truer than in the online landscape. So, this month I thought I would share my thoughts on trends and what’s in store when it comes to search marketing in 2018. User-centric wins If 2017 was ‘the year of the customer’, 2018 will...
Read More
Investing In Your Customers
When investing in your customers it’s important to have an engagement strategy that is specific to a variety of different groups. Different customers require different strategies – and some require more investment than others. When conducting your plans, it’s important to ensure that you’re talking to the right customer in the right way and making...
Read More
Turn Your Opportunities Into Success
Are you going to get off your arse this year and turn your opportunities into success? New Zealand needs you (yes, all of you) to be very successful! Success is defined differently by different people, and while this means a resulting wide range of varied outcomes, it is undisputed that we are all capable of...
Read MoreLuxury Watches
Omega Picks of 2017
Seamaster Planet Ocean Sporting an eye-catching navy blue and burnt orange colourway, “Big Blue” as Omega have nicknamed it, is bold in style, clever in design and grabs attention in a manner vastly different to your standard luxury watches. Omega have springboarded off the success of last year’s Planet Ocean “Deep Black” and have dived deeper...
Read More
Girard-Perregaux Top Picks of 2017
Laureato Skeleton Girard-Perregaux impresses yet again with the Laureato Skeleton, showcasing a striking transparent design that boldly shows the inner workings of the skillfully crafted Laureato collection. The harmony between interior and exterior is a paramount objective in both architecture and horology, and the Laureato Skeleton displays what happens when the best of two disciplines...
Read More
Montblanc TimeWalker Collection
Paying tribute to Minerva’s extraordinary heritage, Montblanc takes a journey back to the glory days of motor racing with five new TimeWalker timepieces that capture the beauty, spirit and values of motorsport history. Professional watches are reborn, highlighting the performance and innovation of the new Montblanc TimeWalker collection. The Rebirth of Professional Watches Car racing...
Read More
The Race Against Time
When you think of watch makers you might think of far-flung European cities with gingerbread houses and a proliferation of bicycles. Definitely your first thought won’t stray toward our very own City of Sails. But it should, because we have creatives in Auckland who are starting to make waves. One of them is the father-son...
Read MoreDrink
Barrel Owners Club
I think we’ve all considered what it would be like to make our own wine. Having rows of grapes stretching across acres of Otago land. While you may not be able to uproot your family and lifestyle to chase idyllic rural dreams you may be able to get in on this personalised wine making business....
Read More
Limited numbers of bottles of this whisky are landing in NZ, here’s when & where to find them
Extending the annual Islay Whisky Festival – Feis Ile – in Scotland slightly, Ardbeg Day will be celebrated in New Zealand on Saturday June 3. The celebrations stretch across the country in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington. There will be celebrations along with the official release of the limited edition Ardbeg Kelpie for purchase, paired canapes...
Read More
New Whisky Alert: Ardbeg An Oa
It’s Friday, so what do you have lined up tonight? Because heads up for Whiskey lovers, a new Single Malt hit NZ yesterday, the Ardbeg An Oa. Ardbeg’s Director of Distilling, Whisky Creation & Whisky Stocks, Dr Bill Lumsden, says, “Ardbeg An Oa’s rounded and subtly smoky aromas reflect all the contrasts of the Mull...
Read More
New Zealand just got its first saké professional
Our craft beer market has plenty of gurus willing to provide you brews on your journey of beer discovery, but in New Zealand it’s a little tough to find the right person to guide you through your saké experience. Once you get the taste for saké you never go back. Now, Fuminobu (Fumi) Nakatani –...
Read MoreAuthors
NELSON DEMILLE
America’s Greatest Living Thriller Writer (as titled on the front cover of his latest novel, The Cuban Affair), Nelson Demille writes his books with a pencil and paper from his home in Long Island, New York. It’s a process that works for him. The Cuban Affair (his 20th novel) has hit-the-ground-running by heading straight to...
Read More
Chris Carter – The Hunter And The Hunted
Chris Carter is a crime writer with a long résumé of published works. He is most well-known for his Robert Hunter series of detective novels, which includes An Evil Mind, One By One, The Night Stalker and The Crucifix Killer, all of which have enjoyed big success globally. But dig deeper into his CV, and...
Read More
The Author To Know: David Lagercrantz
Best-selling author of I am Zlatan Ibrahimovic and 11 other well-known titles, Lagercrantz is a man who wears numerous hats. One moment he is a journalist, the next he is a biographer, the next a ghost-writer, then a novelist. A man of sheer talent and verve. Born in Solna in 1962 to Olof Lagercrantz (a...
Read More
Stephen King – Author Credit
The infamous 1986 horror novel IT will be seen in a different light the movie hits the big screens this September. We hear from the man, Stephen King himself, about what he thinks of the upcoming iteration. When you watch a film based on one of your books, like IT, do you find yourself thinking...
Read MoreBook Reviews
The Books To Read
Typhoon Fury – Clive Cussler Juan Cabrillo and the corporation are off on another adventure, this time sees them in Asia. A good old fashioned good guy versus the bad guys with the villain being tough and not to be messed with. This is the 9th Oregon files book, those familiar with the series will...
Read More
5 books that have changed the way I think about business
As an entrepreneur, I don’t have as much time for reading as I would like; I’m often too busy ‘doing’. But there’s value to be gleaned from other people’s stories of having been there, done that, and lots we can learn from their trials and tribulations. So here are five books that have affected me...
Read More
THREE BOOKS TO READ THIS MONTH
TELL NO LIES Gregg Hurwitz The story is set in San Francisco, the hero is a rich kid with a tough, wealthy mother; he gives up everything to marry his sweetheart and becomes a psychologist who works with ex-prisoners to rehabilitate them. Mother does not approve. It’s a murder mystery with twists and turns and...
Read More
Books: Must Reads For April
Gallery Of The Dead Chris Carter Robert Hunter, the insomniac genius detective, is back with a novel that fulfills the cover’s proclamation that it is ‘as addictive as a box-set’. I agree, I was bingeing this book at every opportunity. Excellent characters and plot. The Caller Chris Carter Don’t be put off by the tacky...
Read MoreM2 MARCH 2018 issue
Going For Gold – David Bishop
Ex-engineering student, sport fanatic and skilled gymnast, David Bishop is a perfect example of someone who emulates the good ol’ Kiwi spirit. He has a can-do attitude, that lovable personality and the type of ability any sportsman would love to encompass. He is a medal-winning gymnast, fitness coach, and with some big competitions coming up,...
Read More
Gregg Hurwitz
Gregg Hurwitz – the New York Times bestselling writer of 19 novels, numerous screenplays for films and a New York Times Bestselling graphic novelist for 14 comic books – has definitely hit the ground running when it comes to producing top-quality, thrilling fiction. With multiple award nods under his belt – such as a two-time...
Read More
Take Charge – The Belkin 3.5 mm Audio + Lightning Charge Rockstar
Chances are, you have a smartphone. Chances are, that smartphone is an iPhone. And, chances are, you deal with the frustrating issue of the lightning port. Battery sitting at four percent but you still want to listen to your favourite podcast? It’s either a dead phone or listening to talking heads on the radio –...
Read More
The Discoverer – Venice
Venice is the playground of Europe’s elite and globetrotters alike. The city is dotted with five-star hotels, a plethora of restaurants serving up exquisite meals and velvet-padded gondolas bobbing in the canals ready to take you wherever your heart desires. There is a special charm about the city of Venice that has been attracting tourists...
Read MoreM2 FEBRUARY 2018 issue
Taking Off Into The Future
On the 7th of January, SpaceX launched the uncrewed Zuma spacecraft into the stratosphere in accordance with the United States government. With 21 successful launches under their belt, SpaceX’s revolutionary, fully reusable rockets are able to create a safe travel path for future rockets. This impressive development in technology could possibly allow greater developments and...
Read More
Turn Your Opportunities Into Success
Are you going to get off your arse this year and turn your opportunities into success? New Zealand needs you (yes, all of you) to be very successful! Success is defined differently by different people, and while this means a resulting wide range of varied outcomes, it is undisputed that we are all capable of...
Read More
Mazda’s Delicious Doritos
Pardon the pun but the ICE (internal combustion engine) has been getting quite the cold shoulder recently. Piston power and fossil fuel are being cast aside in favour of battery cells topped up by sunny days, flowing streams and wind chimes. Right now, it seems like the automotive world is on a quest for alternative...
Read More
Destination Du Jour – Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Gold Coast
Greeted by hectares of lush tropical gardens with the ocean in sight, and lagoon pools beckoning in a shimmering blue, the magical holiday atmosphere is unmistakable at the Sheraton Grand Mirage. A swim-up bar serving cocktails in glasses the size of a fishbowl is just one of the reasons that this five-star resort is ideal...
Read MoreM2 JANUARY 2018 issue
The Electric Future – Tesla Stem
Bruce Wayne, Tony Stark – they don’t exist. Sorry folks. We do have Elon Musk, however. And, quite frankly, that’ll do. Whether he has his sights set to the stars with SpaceX, disrupting the automotive world with Tesla or providing powerwalls to a broken Puerto Rico, Musk is doing this whole billionaire philanthropist thing quite...
Read More
Michael Venus – New Zealand Shining Tennis’ Star
Uncommon, like the generational flash of a passing comet or a fleeting eclipse, Michael Venus is New Zealand’s latest tennis shining star and in 2017 became the first Kiwi to win a Grand Slam doubles title since 1979. At the tender age of 30, the Auckland-born and bred resident took out the Roland Garros title...
Read More
Fashion Trend – Prints Collide
All of our favourite brands have jumped on the print trend this season and we are all for it, now it’s your turn to give it a try in your summer wardrobe. Shirt, $219, Ted Baker Shirt, POA, Louis Vuitton Swim Trunks, $125, Tom & Teddy, from smith and Caugheys Shirt, $34.99, Cotton on Trunks,...
Read More
The Benefits Of Comvita Honey
More than just your favourite spread; if you are unaware of the benefits of Manuka Honey, then you have clearly not been listening to us share about it’s health benefits recently. So, those of you listen up, and take notes. In 1974, Comvita® founders Claude Stratford and Alan Bougen believed in the power of nature. Four...
Read MoreM2 DECEMBER 2017 issue - Man of the Year issue
Style News December 2017
Summer is finally here, well apparently… Be sure to be geared with the latest pieces to be looking on-trend this season. Huffer Following the celebration of their 20th Birthday, Huffer have delivered a strong Summer ‘17 Collection channelling warm Californian vibes. “Huffer Summer ’17 is electric blues and mellow yellows that get you from dusk...
Read More
M2 Man Of The Year 2017
What do you get when you put MC Dominic Bowden, ice chilled Champagne Bollinger, Glenfiddich Cocktails, four delicious Live Food Stations, the soulful sounds of Jennifer Zea and her band, DJ Murry Sweetpants together and a crowd of New Zealand’s finest together at the Pullman Hotel in Auckland? You get the M2 Champagne Bollinger Man...
Read More
Catch A Bullet
To catch a bullet in your hand or mouth takes skill and precision timing, or that’s what magicians and performance artists would have you believe. Of course, it’s a trick, but as a child, I used to watch in awe and wonder. What is not a trick, however, is the precision and timing that surrounds...
Read More
Health News – December 2017
It’s getting to that time of the year where people are starting to make their resolutions, so get a jump-start on yours with these essentials. Adidas X David Beckham Have you ever heard of the ‘runner’s high’? That rush of endorphins? That feeling of invincibility when running? Imagine getting that runner’s high whilst running on...
Read MoreM2 NOVEMBER 2017 issue
Defining Moments
Ermenegildo Zegna has recently unveiled the second chapter in its Defining Moments campaign, again starring Robert De Niro and welcoming French choreographer and dancer Benjamin Millepied. The collection, as always, embodies everything the Italian luxury fashion house is about. With the US Autumn-Winter 2017 collection reflecting strong emotion and a community-centric voice, we’re treated to a...
Read More
4 Ways to be a Job-Hunting Warrior
If you are looking at changing jobs or even finding a job to start with, the process can be soul destroying. It may very well come down to how many jobs you apply for – after all, a great job is hardly likely to fall into your lap – but what happens if you’re seriously...
Read More
Hugh Jackman – Hollywood’s Favourite Wolf
They say nice guys finish last. Hugh Jackman says otherwise. The do-it-all megastar and face of Montblanc is widely regarded as the nicest man in showbiz. A jack of all trades and master of it all. TV? He’s done it. Hollywood? A bankable star and A-lister. Broadway? Conquered it and added not one, but two Tony...
Read More
Riding the Winning Cycle
In being content with the rugged terrain of New Zealand’s beautiful biking tracks, a cross-country cyclist yearns for a good challenge. With an ever-changing landscape, the mixture of adrenaline and dust, the heat of metal and the whizz of turning wheels, the testament of the racer is most definitely in the skill of the riding....
Read MoreM2 OCTOBER 2017 issue
The ‘Holy’ Trinity
We get amongst the vines and learn what goes into making Trinity Hill wines Winemaking Wizardry Looking for a new wine to try out? Look no further. We headed down to the Hawke's Bay and caught up with Trinity Hill Wines Chief Winemaker Warren Gibson for a taste test of five of the best wines...
Read More
BMW 340i Touring – What goes on tour…
In many ways, roadies are the unsung heroes of the rock industry. They are the people that truly put the show together (and take it on the road), they are the pack horses, the backbone of touring rock. They travel from town to town taking care of the ‘behind the scenes’ business, virtually unseen and...
Read More
Calling all Meat Lovers
What could a man want more than all-you-can-eat ribs? Look no further than The Culpeper, perfectly situated right in the heart of Auckland City’s Princess Wharf. Another great eatery by the Nourish Group, who are already well known for top restaurants such as Euro, Fish and Crab Shack, to name a few. With Head Chef...
Read More
Key Pieces from the Keynote
If you haven’t already heard or seen, Apple was back again in September and both the new iPhone and keynote address left many asking questions. We offer a brief overview of this much-anticipated event. There are a few points of significance in the 2017 iPhone X (said ten) launch and keynote address that are extra-special....
Read MoreM2 SEPTEMBER 2017 issue
Sony’s New TV Emanates Sound Through the Screen Itself
Late in July Sony revealed its highly-anticipated BRAVIA OLED television (A1 series) in New Zealand as it began rolling out into stores. By combining the superior picture quality of OLED with the 4K HDR Processor X1 Extreme, the A1 series offers the world’s very first in-screen sound system in a large screen TV. Taking advantage of...
Read More
The Monthly Sports Agenda
It’s business as usual in September, and Australia is the place to be for sporting action in this part of the world, as their most supported codes wind up their seasons. Elsewhere on the globe, New York is hosting two events of international significance with records to be broken. NRL FINALS SERIES September is the...
Read More
The Burger Battle
Each week seems to bring another burger joint opening, but hey, we’re not complaining. But with each new opening comes a new concept, so which fusion, style or flavour do you pick? Better Burger These guys seem to be taking on the city, with the recent opening of their Sylvia Park store showing they have...
Read More
Stephen King – Author Credit
The infamous 1986 horror novel IT will be seen in a different light the movie hits the big screens this September. We hear from the man, Stephen King himself, about what he thinks of the upcoming iteration. When you watch a film based on one of your books, like IT, do you find yourself thinking...
Read MoreM2 AUGUST 2017 issue
Living an Extraordinary Life Means Giving Up a Normal One
The larger mob of society will never experience true success. Why? Because this majority is unwilling to become the CEO of their life – they’d rather someone else call the shots. They are unwilling to take risks, to fail publicly or be forced to try again after getting knocked down. They are unwilling to sacrifice...
Read More
How to lead with passion
I believe that passion underpins success in business. You can have the best product or service in the market, but without a passionate team of individuals driving its success, things are likely to flop. You can’t teach passion. You can’t teach people to care. As a boss or entrepreneur, it’s easy to jump out of...
Read More
The Good The Dad The Ugly
There are few things in life that will change a man, like becoming a dad. It is incredible how a such a small bundle of noise and nappies can be the pivot point for such a shift in priorities and perspective. To celebrate Father’s Day we joined a few New Zealand dads and their kids...
Read More
Destination Du Jour
It’s that time of year when you are in-between tropical holidays and in desperate need to get out of the city, even just for the weekend. While it is winter, New Zealand has some pretty incredible destinations to escape to, and recharge and re-energise yourself to get through the last few cold months of the...
Read MoreM2 JULY 2017 issue
Man on the Street – Joe Telford
Age: 38 Occupation: Licensed Real Estate Agent What do you have for breakfast? Coffee is normally all I have for breakfast. What is your morning routine? So, my morning routine is that I’m normally up at about 6am to get myself organised and up and ready for the day. And then, after that, the kids wake up....
Read More
Style News July 2017
We are well and truly settled into the shorter days of winter, meaning the wet, cold and windy weather predominates. Layer up and be warm and cosy, or escape altogether, with some well-deserved travel to sunny shores or skylines of countries enjoying their warm tropical summer. DEADLY PONIES Travel in style with new additions and...
Read More
Playing the Perfect Host
I recently had a chat with Dominic Bowden, (X-Factor, Dancing With the Stars, The Bachelor) about our shared connection with ‘anamorphic’ artist Edgar Mueller, who recently passed through the country as part of the launch for Mazda’s new CX-5. I had the ignoble task of holding Mueller up in the departures lounge for an interview...
Read More
David Beckham’s Guide To Success – Incredible Lessons for Success On and Off the Field
The prototypical script for a famous footballer goes something like this: You play 10 years (if you’re lucky). Possibly win a league title in the process (if you’re lucky). Finally, you negotiate a broadcasting career where you play pundit and banter with other ‘legends of the sport’ (that is, if you’re lucky). You then retire for...
Read MoreM2 JUNE 2017 issue
Style Grooming: Everything is Better in 3’s
Step up your grooming game by making sure you are covering the three important bases: face, hair and body care. These M2-approved products will be sure to have you looking and feeling good, and your significant other will definitely thank you for it. Sukin anti-pollution facial masque, $20.99 Containing bamboo charcoal as the key active...
Read More
Audacious Social Entrepreneur Needed
M2 Coach Podcast – An Audacious Social Entrepreneur Needed BIG DISRUPTION IS LOOKING FOR AN AUDACIOUS SOCIAL ENTREPRENEUR – IS ANYONE LOOKING FOR AN OPPORTUNITY? Automation and artificial intelligence have been conservatively reported as eliminating approximately 30 percent of all jobs in developed countries before 2032 (15 years’ time). I personally think this figure is...
Read More
The Sunrise Smart Pillow
You know how you went to sleep on your dumb pillow last night and thought to yourself “I wish my pillow could double as an artificial sun and also play bluetooth music”? well today your dreams have become reality. The Sunrise Smart Pillow has successfully smashed its targets on Kickstarter as the consumer tech crowd...
Read More
Porsche Macan Turbo Power Pack – A Real Bench Lifter
From a gym goer’s point of view, the bench press is one of the most popular exercises in terms of increasing upper body strength. From a supine position on top of a bench (and using weights on a barbell), the motion consists of raising the bar from chest to the full extent of the arms...
Read MoreExclusive Content
Explore Inside M2 magazine
Cover Story • Drink • Entertainment • Experience • Food • Health • M2 Coach
M2 Man On The Street • Mandate • Report • Sport • Style • Success • Tech • Wheels • Wine
M2 April 2018 (Full Issue) • M2 March 2018 (Full Issue) • M2 February 2018 (Full Issue) • M2 January 2018 (Full Issue) • M2 December 2017 (Full Issue) • M2 November 2017 (Full Issue) • M2 October 2017 (Full Issue) • M2 September 2017 (Full Issue) • M2 August 2017 (Full Issue) • M2 July 2017 (Full Issue) • M2 June 2017 (Full Issue)